PEDESTRIANS and cyclists between two popular villages can soon look forward to a safer journey, after grant funding was awarded to build a new footpath and cycle track.

No path currently exists alongside the busy main road between Borth y Gest and Morfa Bychan, meaning pedestrians and cyclists have to run the gauntlet of traffic on the 1.9 mile route, especially during the busy summer months.

Campaigners and residents have fought for many years to provide a path, and were celebrating this week after funding was announced by the Welsh Assembly Government to build a safe route alongside the road.

Now campaigners will meet with Gwynedd Council officials to start discussions on when the route will be built, a move local councillor Selwyn Griffiths has welcomed.

He said: “This is great news, especially with all the bad news about cuts we hear these days.

“There has been a strong campaign for many years by local residents to make this route safer, and I’m also hopeful a proposed speed limit change is also on the horizon. Thanks to everyone who supported the campaign.”

The work, which will be carried out as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Safe Routes in Communities initiative, has been supported by local schools, the police, community groups and residents.

Eddie Blackburn, the chairman of the Friends of Morfa Bychan, hopes it is the first step to a safer journey all the way to the beach at Black Rock sands.

He said: “This is good news, and a long time coming. This campaign has intensified over the last few years as the road between the two villages got busier.

“Lots of people got involved, and will make the route a lot safer. After this I would like us to look at making the road to the beach, which is currently unrestricted, safer as well. Thanks to everyone for their hard work.”

Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM said: “This is a very busy road, and this grant will certainly bring safety benefits to the community and improve access for walkers between Porthmadog and Morfa Bychan.”